in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, ridden and hung left under pressure approaching 3 out, stayed on
in touch and keen, weakened and lost place 7th
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakening and hung left
held up and keen, some headway 8th, one pace
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on
led and soon clear, headed and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, slow jump 1st, lost place 3rd, soon no danger
mid-division, headway 7th, mistake 4 out, ridden and stayed on well to lead close home
held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 8th to join leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace
in rear, lost touch 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, all out when headed close home
Leac An Scail, Barclay Boy and Captain Smoothy are three against the field in this maiden hurdle in a race where the market will be very informative and the narrow nomination is given to Barclay Boy. The selection was a fair second behind Paulo Dancer on his first run of the season before falling last time out. He looks sure to have been well schooled and under conditions that suit. Leac An Scail rates the main danger as he has won his only start to date in a bumper when beating Thentford Flyer but he is also sure to have been well schooled but the suspicion is he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip in time. Captain Smoothy is another that could go well on his latest second behind Bajan Sunshine but consistency is not his strong point and he is taken on with this in mind. Check Up was a fair second behind Keepitsecret last time and should appreciate this longer trip so he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Zonic Boom could improve for the fitting of first time cheek pieces and tounge tie but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we return to Barclay Boy.
Barclay Boy 13-8fav (10-12) Mid-division when fell at the 3rd in race won by Toemac (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Check Up (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 5f, led over 4f out, ridden when headed 2f out, soon held, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Keepitsecret (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Oct.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 4f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Jul beating Thenford Flyer (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Overfields 33-1 (10-9) Raced keen early, in touch, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Newbay Lady (10-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Rhetoric (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Held up last, some headway 6th, stayed on 3 out, 3rd of 9, 13l behind Compton Star (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Sparklinspirit 25-1 (10-12) In touch until ridden 4 out and soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Paulo Dancer (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Chased leaders to 8th, 5th of 9, well behind Island Light (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Villa Mara (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 48l behind Team Leader (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Zonic Boom (FR) 14-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 20l behind Compton Star (10-0) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Real Empire (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, closer in 6th after 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from next, 7th of 14, 20l behind Massini Magic (10-7) at Wexford 2m nov hdl hvy in Oct.
Slight Hiccup 40-1 (9-12) Behind, some headway after 9th, soon weakened, 4th of 11, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Oct '05.
The Sneakster (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 13, 28l behind Sunisa (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Chapel Wood Lady (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Rear of mid division, mistake 5th, weakened from 3 out, 12th of 15, 11l behind Cailin Alainn (10-13) at Tramore 2m mrs mdn hdl gd in Apr.
Captain Smoothy 66-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Bajan Sunshine (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
